Patients in Wrington will still have lots of options open to them if proposals to close the village's small surgery go ahead.

Mendip Vale Medical Practice opened a surgery in Langford at the end of 2012.

That is the promise being made by Mendip Vale Medical Practice after it revealed its intention to close its Broad Street surgery, despite it being the only healthcare centre in the village.

The surgery was opened when its former home was closed down, ahead of the opening of a new base at Pudding Pie Lane in Langford in 2012. Back then, villagers feared struggling to get to appointments in Langford due to poor public transport links.

By way of compromise, a small satellite surgery was opened for 90 minutes per weekday, but its popularity is said to have faded.

David Clark, the practice’s executive manager, said: “As a former retail store, the facility has always provided limited and unsatisfactory accommodation.

“There are just two clinical rooms there, one too small for even a consulting couch.

“And, with no reception area and only a small waiting room, the site is totally inadequate to provide the necessary services current medical practices and our patients demand.

“That fact has been reflected in the continuing decline in patients using the limited facilities.

“When attendance numbers have fallen short of expectations, and in a climate of ever-reducing budgets, all costs must be sensibly considered and difficult decisions must sometimes be made.

“All Wrington patients will still have total access to the complete services offered at our nearby, fully-equipped Langford surgery. And for those who still find access difficult, we now also provide a collection service for those without transport for urgent same day appointments.

“But, as our practice continues to expand, don’t forget that all patients still have an even greater choice with general access to the Congresbury, St Georges and Yatton surgeries if they wish.”

Mr Clark said a decision to close will only be made if NHS England agrees and after consulting with key public groups.

The closure plan is one of several the practice is considering – including building a surgery in Smallway in Congresbury.

A questionnaire on the practice’s proposals is available at Mendip Vale’s surgeries. It can also be found at www.mendipvale.nhs.uk and emailed to mendipvale.scanners@nhs.net